WASHINGTON, March 6 -- The Government Accountability Office has issued a report on data center optimization. The report (GAO-20-279) is entitled "Agencies Report Progress, but Oversight and Cybersecurity Risks Need to Be Addressed". The report was sent to Sen. James M. Inhofe, R-Oklahoma, chairman, Sen. Jack Reed, D-Rhode Island, ranking member of the Senate Armed Services Committee, Sen. Ron Johnson, R-Wisconsin, chairman, Sen. Gary Peters, D-Michigan, ranking member of the Senate Homeland Sec  more

WASHINGTON, March 5 -- The Government Accountability Office has issued a report on the Nuclear Regulatory Commission. The report (GAO-20-362) is entitled "Fee-Setting, Billing, and Budgeting Processes Have Improved, but Additional Actions Could Enhance Efforts". The report was sent to Sen. John Barrasso, R-Wyoming, chairman of the Senate Environment and Public Works Committee, Sen. Shelley Moore Capito, R-West Virginia, Rep. Greg Walden, R-Oregon, ranking Republican Leader of the House Energy a  more

WASHINGTON, March 2 -- The Government Accountability Office has issued a report on the international mail. The report (GAO-20-340R) is entitled "Stakeholders' Views on Possible Changes to Inbound Mail Regarding Customs Fees and Opioid Detection Efforts". The report was sent to Sen. Charles Grassley, R-Iowa, chairman, Sen. Ron Wyden, D-Oregon, ranking member of the Senate Finance Committee, Sen. Ron Johnson, R-Wisconsin, chairman, Sen. Gary Peters, D-Michigan, ranking member of the Senate Homela  more

WASHINGTON, March 5 -- The House on March 3 published 16 executive communications (3990-4005) from the Executive Branch: 3990. A letter from the Director, Regulatory Management Division, Environmental Protection Agency, transmitting the Agency's final rule -- Air Plan Approval; Michigan; Second Limited Maintenance Plans for 1997 Ozone NAAQS [EPA-R05-OAR- 2019-0467; FRL-10006-00-Region 5] received March 2, 2020, pursuant to 5 U.S.C. 801(a)(1)(A); Public Law 104-121, Sec. 251; (110 Stat. 868); to  more

WASHINGTON, March 2 -- Sen. Gary Peters, D-Michigan, issued the following news release: * * * - Peters and Bipartisan Group of Senators Introduced Bill to Designate PFAS Chemicals as Hazardous Substances Under Environmental Protection Law on March 1, 2019 * * * U.S. Senator Gary Peters (MI) reiterated his call for the Senate to pass bipartisan legislation that would mandate the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) declare PFAS as hazardous substances eligible for cleanup funds under the EPA  more

WASHINGTON, March 5 -- Rep. Jack Bergman, R-Michigan, issued the following statement the House passed an emergency spending package to prepare for the effects of coronavirus: "While the U.S. has already taken significant action to address COVID-19, this funding package provides additional resources to help the federal government continue our response. "Our goal is to prevent the spread of COVID-19 both in the U.S. and abroad, and these funds will go directly towards efforts already underway su  more

WASHINGTON, March 6 -- Rep. Angela Craig, D-Minnesota, issued the following news release: U.S. Rep. Angie Craig introduced the Safe Stay Act, which would require the installation of carbon monoxide detectors in each hotel and motel room across the country. This legislation comes after learning that two of her second district constituents were hospitalized with serious illnesses due to near-fatal carbon monoxide levels in their Michigan hotel room. In late July 2019, Lakeville resident Leslie L  more

WASHINGTON, March 7 -- Rep. Debbie Dingell, D-Michigan, issued the following news release: Congresswoman Debbie Dingell (D-MI) reintroduced the Defective Firearms Protection Act, legislation that allows the Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) to address safety defects in firearms like they would for any other consumer product by potentially issuing safety warnings and issuing recalls if necessary. Currently, firearms are excluded from the definition of a consumer product, which prohibits   more

WASHINGTON, March 5 -- Rep. Debbie Dingell, D-Michigan, issued the following news release: Congresswoman Debbie Dingell (D-MI) voted for the House package to provide $8.3 billion in robust funding to respond to the Coronavirus, including support for state and local health agencies, vaccine and treatment development, and loans for affected small business. The legislation provides $8.3 billion in all new funding for a robust response to this public health emergency. That includes $950 million fo  more

WASHINGTON, March 4 -- Rep. Bill Huizenga, R-Michigan, issued the following news release: I am reaching out to ensure you have the best available information to protect and care for yourself and your loved ones as we learn more about coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). The Centers for Disease Control (CDC) considers the coronavirus to be a serious public health threat. It is important that you are aware of the disease and the efforts necessary to prevent its spread. Symptoms Coronavirus dise  more

WASHINGTON, March 7 -- Rep. Daniel Kildee, D-Michigan, issued the following news release: * * * - Federal Grant for Sterling Area Health Center Will Help Support Rural Health Access to Mid-Michigan Residents * * * Congressman Dan Kildee (MI-05), Chief Deputy Whip of the House Democratic Caucus, announced Sterling Area Health Center will receive a federal grant to help provide quality, affordable health care to families living in rural mid-Michigan. The $2,155,191 federal grant, through the   more

WASHINGTON, March 4 -- Rep. Daniel Kildee, D-Michigan, issued the following news release: Congressman Dan Kildee (MI-05), Chief Deputy Whip of the House Democratic Caucus, announced a federal grant to Lake State Railway to build railroad track infrastructure and safety enhancements throughout mid-Michigan. This is in addition to the $8.6 million federal grant to improve Lake State Railway's railroad infrastructure given in June 2019. The $7,875,770 federal grant, through the U.S. Department of  more

WASHINGTON, March 3 -- Rep. Daniel Kildee, D-Michigan, issued the following statement after the death of Chris Hamilton, executive director of the Old Newsboys of Flint: "Chris Hamilton was a remarkable community leader who had a passion for helping children. "Every holiday season, Chris and the Old Newsboys would sell newspapers to help those in need and make sure that every child had a toy under the Christmas tree. "Chris cared deeply about Genesee County and mid-Michigan, devoting his time  more

WASHINGTON, March 5 -- Rep. Daniel Kildee, D-Michigan, issued the following news release: Congressman Dan Kildee (MI-05), Chief Deputy Whip of the House Democratic Caucus, voted to pass H.R. 6074, the Coronavirus Preparedness and Response Supplemental Appropriations Act, which provides new emergency funding to fully address the coronavirus and protect Americans from this public health crisis. "The federal government must do more to protect Americans against the spread of the coronavirus. I am   more

WASHINGTON, March 5 -- Rep. Daniel Kildee, D-Michigan, issued the following news release on March 4: Congressman Dan Kildee (MI-05), Chief Deputy Whip of the House Democratic Caucus, applauded the Ways and Means Committee for holding a hearing on how the tax code impacts Native Americans and tribal governments. For months, Kildee has worked with Ways and Means Chairman Richard Neal (MA-01), Ways and Means Select Revenue Measures Subcommittee Chairman Mike Thompson (CA-05), and tribal governmen  more

WASHINGTON, March 2 -- Rep. Brenda Lawrence, D-Michigan, issued the following news release: Congresswoman Brenda Lawrence (MI-14) led Representatives Peter DeFazio (D-OR), Rashida Tlaib (D-MI), Joe Neguse (D-CO), Roe Khanna (D-CA), and Bennie Thompson (D-MS) in introducing the Pell to Grad Act, legislation that aims to increase opportunities for financial assistance and help hardworking students offset rising college costs while also promoting continued education. The Pell to Grad Act would all  more

WASHINGTON, March 5 -- Rep. Brenda Lawrence, D-Michigan, issued the following statement on after voting to support coronavirus emergency response supplemental funding bill (H.R. 6074): "It is of paramount importance that the federal government takes all steps necessary to proactively address the rise in Coronavirus cases in the United States. "Following President Trump's underwhelming supplemental funding request, I worked with my colleagues to provide $8.3 billion in new funding to address th  more

WASHINGTON, March 5 -- Rep. Brenda Lawrence, D-Michigan, issued the following statement as the Supreme Court begins hearing oral arguments on yet another abortion rights case, June Medical Services vs. Russo: "Once again, anti-abortion advocates are seeking to severely restrict a woman's right to choose what is best for their own reproductive health. "Every woman deserves to make their own decision based on what is best for them and their family, and not to have their decision made by anti-abo  more

WASHINGTON, March 5 -- Rep. Andy Levin, D-Michigan, issued the following news release on March 4: Congressman Andy Levin voted to appropriate $8.3 billion to fund a coordinated, nationwide response to the coronavirus, or COVID-19. "There's a lot that federal, state and local health agencies can do to combat the coronavirus, but only if their efforts are fully funded," Rep. Levin said. "Today, House Democrats acted quickly to pass a bill that would meet the challenges posed by COVID-19. The $8.  more

WASHINGTON, March 6 -- Rep. Paul Mitchell, R-Michigan, issued the following news release: This week the House Foreign Affairs Committee advanced the No Passport Fees for Heroes' Families Act (H.R. 2847), which waives passport fees for family members obtaining a passport to visit an injured servicemember overseas. This bill was introduced in May of 2019 by Congressman Paul Mitchell (R-MI), Rep. Abigail Spanberger (D-VA), Rep. Joe Wilson (R-SC), and Rep. Gerry Connolly (D-VA). Congressman Mitche  more

WASHINGTON, March 7 -- Rep. John Moolenaar, R-Michigan, issued the following news release: The U.S. House of Representatives passed a Coronavirus relief package that will help federal, state and local authorities respond to Coronavirus. The legislation has $4 billion in funding for Coronavirus testing and to invest in the development of a vaccine for the virus. There is also $1 billion from the Centers for Disease Control that will go exclusively to states and cities to respond to any outbrea  more

WASHINGTON, March 5 -- Rep. Haley Stevens, D-Michigan, issued the following statement: * * * - The U.S. House of Representatives passed an $8.3 billion emergency supplemental appropriations bill to address the coronavirus and protect Americans from this public health crisis. * * * Rep. Haley Stevens (MI-11) voted to pass H.R. 6074, an emergency funding package to support a robust and coordinated response to coronavirus, including vaccine development, support for state and local governments,  more

WASHINGTON, March 5 -- Rep. Fred Upton, R-Michigan, issued the following floor remarks in support of the nearly $8 billion emergency supplemental package response to the coronavirus: "Well, thank you, Madam Speaker. You know, this legislation is how this place is supposed to work. Real substance; forget the politics. We have a real emergency - we really do. I want to thank leadership on both sides of the aisle for bringing this bill to the floor so quickly. You know, the bipartisan Problem Sol  more

WASHINGTON, March 3 -- Rep. Fred Upton, R-Michigan, issued the following statement after the bipartisan Problem Solvers Caucus called for bipartisan cooperation to fight the coronavirus: "This morning, a bipartisan group of members made it clear that it is time for Congressional leaders and the Administration to put politics aside and come together to address the coronavirus. The health, safety, and well-being of the American people are far too important to let politics get in the way of soluti  more

WASHINGTON, March 4 -- Rep. Fred Upton, R-Michigan, issued the following statement on March 3: U.S. Fred Upton (R-St. Joseph) issued the following statement after he and members of the Problem Solvers Caucus met with Vice President Mike Pence and Coronavirus Response Coordinator, Dr. Debbie Birx, to discuss solutions to prevent the spread of the coronavirus: "Today we had a constructive discussion with the Vice President and Dr. Debbie Birx about bipartisan efforts to prevent the spread of the  more

WASHINGTON, March 6 -- Rep. Fred Upton, R-Michigan, issued the following statement after the death of ex-Rep. Amo Houghton: "Amo Houghton was truly a kind, charitable, and remarkable man all his days who made a difference for his community, the boardroom, and the Congress. Always one demanding to be convinced on the merits rather than the politics of any issue, he was deeply respected on both sides of the aisle. As a WWII veteran and Fortune 500 CEO, he brought real world experience to Capit  more

WASHINGTON, March 5 -- Rep. Fred Upton, R-Michigan, issued the following statement after the House passed an $8 billion emergency funding package aimed at combating the coronavirus: "This is an all hands on deck situation. Our nation must have the resources necessary to protect the health and safety of all Americans. "This funding will be critical to help ready an effective, affordable coronavirus vaccine, ensure we have the resources for timely testing, and provide our state and local health   more

WASHINGTON, March 5 -- Rep. Tim Walberg, R-Michigan, issued the following statement: Congressman Tim Walberg (MI-07) voted for the Coronavirus Preparedness and Response Supplemental Appropriations Act, an $8 billion emergency funding package to confront the Coronavirus and prevent its spread. H.R. 6074 passed the House by a 415-2 vote. "The Coronavirus outbreak is a serious public health issue and we are working to combat it with every tool available. We can't let politics stand in the way of   more

WASHINGTON, March 3 -- Rep. Daniel Kildee, D-Michigan, issued the following news release: * * * - Test Your Well Water Act Would Create New Online Tools at EPA for Americans To Test Their Private Wells * * * Congressman Dan Kildee (MI-05), Chief Deputy Whip of the House Democratic Caucus, along with Congressman Mike Gallagher (WI-08), Congressman Ron Kind (WI-03), Congressman Antonio Delgado (NY-19) and Congresswoman Elissa Slotkin (MI-08), introduced the Test Your Well Water Act, bipartisan  more

WASHINGTON, March 7 -- Rep. Fred Upton, R-Michigan, issued the following news release: U.S. Reps. Fred Upton, R-MI, and Joe Kennedy, D-MA, penned a letter to Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services Administrator Seema Verma asking CMS to encourage states to cover all telemedicine services and work with them to expand their capability to do so in an effort to prevent the spread of COVID-19. H.R. 6074, the Coronavirus Preparedness and Response Supplemental Appropriations Act, will provide $8.  more

WASHINGTON, March 5 -- Sen. Gary Peters, D-Michigan, ranking Democratic member of the Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee, issued the following news release: President Donald Trump has signed into law a bipartisan bill introduced by U.S. Senators Gary Peters (D-MI), Pat Roberts (R-KS), Debbie Stabenow (D-MI), and John Cornyn (R-TX) to address the shortage of agricultural inspectors who protect the nation's food supply and agricultural industry at the border. The Protecti  more

WASHINGTON, March 4 -- Sen. Gary Peters, D-Michigan, issued the following news release: U.S. Senator Gary Peters (MI), Ranking Member of the Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee, urged the Trump Administration to launch a centralized federal website - "Coronavirus.gov" - to provide trusted information to the American people about the Coronavirus outbreak. In a letter addressed to Vice President Mike Pence, who has been appointed to lead the U.S. response to the epidemic, Peters   more

WASHINGTON, March 4 -- Sen. Gary Peters, D-Michigan, ranking Democratic member of the Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee, issued the following news release: U.S. Senator Gary Peters, Ranking Member of the Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee, urged the Trump Administration to launch a centralized federal website - "Coronavirus.gov" - to provide trusted information to the American people about the Coronavirus outbreak. In a letter addressed to Vice Presid  more

WASHINGTON, March 6 -- Sen. Gary Peters, D-Michigan, issued the following news release on March 5: * * * - Peters Secured $14.5 Million in Funding for Michigan Coronavirus Response Efforts * * * U.S. Senator Gary Peters (MI), Ranking Member of the Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee, helped the Senate pass a bipartisan funding bill to address Coronavirus--including over $14.5 million in resources for Michigan--and convened a committee hearing on the response to outbre  more

WASHINGTON, March 7 -- The Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee issued the following opening statement on March 5 by Ranking Member Gary C. Peters, D-Michigan, at a hearing entitled "The Federal Interagency Response to the Coronavirus and Preparing for Future Global Pandemics": The top priority of this committee, and of your agencies, is very simple: keeping Americans safe. To be clear, this Coronavirus outbreak in the United States is not currently widespread, but it doe  more

WASHINGTON, March 6 -- The Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee issued the following opening statement on March 4 by Ranking Member Gary C. Peters, D-Michigan, at a hearing entitled "Resources and Authorities Needed to Protect and Secure the Homeland": Every year, the Homeland Security Secretary comes before this committee to discuss the "tough choices" that were made to arrive at these final budgetary numbers. But we don't often hear how those decisions were made. The n  more

WASHINGTON, March 4 -- Sen. Gary Peters, D-Michigan, issued the following statement on March 3: U.S. Senator Gary Peters (MI), Ranking Member of the Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee, met with Department of Homeland Security Acting Secretary Chad Wolf to discuss Michigan's top homeland security needs. Peters released the following statement on the meeting: "As Ranking Member of the Homeland Security Committee, I'm working to keep communities in Michigan and across the  more

WASHINGTON, March 4 -- Sen. Gary Peters, D-Michigan, ranking Democratic member of the Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee, issued the following statement on March 3: U.S. Senator Gary Peters (D-MI), Ranking Member of the Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee, met with Department of Homeland Security Acting Secretary Chad Wolf to discuss Michigan's top homeland security needs. Peters released the following statement on the meeting: "As Ranking Membe  more

WASHINGTON, March 3 -- Sen. Gary Peters, D-Michigan, issued the following statement on the Supreme Court's decision to hear a lawsuit regarding the health care law: "The Trump Administration is determined to overturn the health care law and eliminate protections for Michiganders with preexisting conditions and raise health care costs. "The stakes could not be higher for Michigan middle class families. As this case is considered by the Supreme Court, I'm going to continue fighting to expand a  more

WASHINGTON, March 4 -- Sen. Gary Peters, D-Michigan, issued the following news release: U.S. Senator Gary Peters (MI) is calling for full funding to address the global Coronavirus outbreak and protect the health and safety of Michiganders. In a letter, Peters highlighted the importance of sufficient funding to address a number of pressing needs, including assisting state and local public health agencies in detecting and preventing the spread of Coronavirus; restoring funding to Centers for Dise  more

WASHINGTON, March 5 -- Sen. Gary Peters, D-Michigan, issued the following news release: President Donald Trump has signed into law U.S. Senator Gary Peters (D-MI), Ranking Member of the Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee, bipartisan legislation to address the shortage of agricultural inspectors who protect the nation's food supply and agricultural industry at the border. The Protecting America's Food & Agriculture Act of 2019 ensures the safe and secure trade of agricul  more

WASHINGTON, March 7 -- Sen. Gary Peters, D-Michigan, issued the following news release: In an effort to stand up for workers' rights and organized labor, U.S. Senators Gary Peters (MI) and Jack Reed (RI), Ranking Members of the Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs and Armed Services Committees, led the entire Senate Democratic Caucus in urging Defense Secretary Mark T. Esper to uphold workplace protections and safeguard the collective bargaining rights of Department of Defense (DoD  more

WASHINGTON, March 5 -- Sen. Gary Peters, D-Michigan, issued the following news release: U.S. Senator Gary Peters (MI) welcomed Senate passage of bipartisan provisions he introduced to support age-friendly communities in Michigan and across the nation. The measures based on his Age-Friendly Communities Act would establish a committee to bring agencies from across the federal government together to develop a national set of goals on healthy aging and age-friendly communities. The measures, which   more

WASHINGTON, March 5 -- Sen. Gary Peters, D-Michigan, issued the following news release: U.S. Senators Gary Peters (MI), Ranking Member of the Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee, and Rob Portman (R-OH), applauded the Senate passage of their bipartisan legislation to determine if office space leased by the federal government is owned by foreign entities. The Secure Federal Leases from Espionage and Suspicious Entanglements Act (Secure Federal LEASEs Act) requires the iden  more

WASHINGTON, March 3 -- Sen. Tom Cotton, R-Arkansas, issued the following news release: U.S. Senators Tom Cotton (R-Arkansas) and Gary Peters (D-Michigan) sent a letter to Secretary of Defense Mark Esper urging the creation of a permanent working group with Israel that would share defense capabilities requirements and coordinate joint research and development efforts. In part, the letter reads: Israel is the ideal partner for such an arrangement. Israel represents America's closest and most re  more

WASHINGTON, March 5 -- Sen. Gary Peters, D-Michigan, issued the following news release on March 4: * * * - Senate Could Approve Bipartisan Deal As Early as Thursday * * * U.S. Senator Gary Peters (MI), Ranking Member of the Senate Homeland Security Committee, and Debbie Stabenow (MI) announced that they secured resources for Michigan to protect public health and security amid the Coronavirus outbreak. Michigan Governor Gretchen Whitmer welcomed the support. The Senate may vote on the biparti  more

WASHINGTON, March 6 -- Rep. Rashida Tlaib, D-Michigan, issued the following news release: Rep. Harley Rouda, the Chairman of the Subcommittee on Environment, and Rep. Rashida Tlaib, the Vice Chairwoman of the Subcommittee on Environment, sent a letter to Nestle Waters North America seeking documents and information related to the bottled water industry's practices, specifically regarding the extraction, bottling, and selling of America's groundwater for financial gain. "The Subcommittee is con  more